Patentable/Patents/US-11956343
US-11956343

High resolution signal reception

PublishedApril 9, 2024
Assigneenot available in USPTO data we have
Inventorsnot available in USPTO data we have
Technical Abstract

A method for reception of a signal by a subscriber of a real-time network. The signal includes a signal clock having a signal clock frequency and the subscriber includes a counter, which has a counter clock with a counter clock frequency and which maps a local time of the subscriber. The method includes sampling the signal with a reception clock of a reception counter of the subscriber, the reception clock being derived from the counter clock, whereby the reception counter maps the local time of the subscriber, adapting a phase position of the reception clock to a phase position of the signal clock when said reception clock is derived from the counter clock, and sampling the signal at a reception clock frequency of the reception counter.

Patent Claims
9 claims

Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.

Claim 2

Original Legal Text

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reception clock is derived from the counter clock using a phase-locked loop.

Plain English Translation

A method for synchronizing a reception clock with a counter clock in a digital communication system involves deriving the reception clock from the counter clock using a phase-locked loop (PLL). The PLL adjusts the phase and frequency of the reception clock to match the counter clock, ensuring precise timing alignment. This technique is particularly useful in systems where accurate clock synchronization is required to avoid data misalignment or errors during signal reception. The PLL-based approach provides stability and reduces jitter, improving overall system performance. The method may be applied in various communication protocols, including wireless and wired systems, where maintaining synchronization between different clock domains is critical. By dynamically adjusting the reception clock to track the counter clock, the method ensures reliable data transmission and reception, minimizing latency and enhancing synchronization accuracy. The use of a PLL allows for fine-tuned adjustments, compensating for phase and frequency variations that may occur due to environmental factors or system noise. This method is particularly beneficial in high-speed communication systems where precise timing is essential for maintaining data integrity.

Claim 3

Original Legal Text

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the reception clock frequency of the reception clock corresponds to a counter clock frequency of the counter clock.

Plain English Translation

A method for synchronizing a reception clock with a counter clock in a communication system involves adjusting the reception clock frequency to match the counter clock frequency. The reception clock is used to sample incoming data signals, while the counter clock is used to track timing within the system. By aligning these frequencies, the method ensures accurate data sampling and timing synchronization. The reception clock frequency is dynamically adjusted based on phase differences detected between the reception clock and the counter clock, allowing for precise synchronization even under varying operating conditions. This approach improves signal integrity and reduces errors in data transmission and reception. The method is particularly useful in high-speed communication systems where precise timing is critical for reliable operation. By maintaining a consistent relationship between the reception clock and counter clock frequencies, the system can achieve better synchronization performance and minimize timing-related errors.

Claim 4

Original Legal Text

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein a reception clock frequency of the reception clock is a multiple of a counter clock frequency of the counter clock.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to clock synchronization in communication systems, specifically addressing the challenge of aligning reception clocks with counter clocks to improve timing accuracy. The method involves generating a reception clock signal for receiving data and a counter clock signal for counting or timing operations. The reception clock frequency is set as a multiple of the counter clock frequency to ensure precise synchronization between the two signals. This relationship allows the counter clock to accurately track and control the reception clock, reducing phase and frequency errors. The method may include adjusting the reception clock phase relative to the counter clock to further refine synchronization. By maintaining a fixed frequency ratio between the two clocks, the system ensures stable and predictable timing for data reception and counting operations. This approach is particularly useful in digital communication systems where precise timing is critical for data integrity and system performance. The invention improves upon prior art by providing a more robust and scalable synchronization mechanism, reducing the need for complex phase-locked loops or other costly synchronization techniques. The method can be implemented in various applications, including wireless communication, data processing, and signal processing systems, where accurate timing is essential.

Claim 6

Original Legal Text

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising changing the phase position of the reception clock for each reception clock period.

Plain English Translation

A method for improving signal reception in communication systems involves adjusting the phase position of a reception clock during each reception clock period. This technique is particularly useful in high-speed data transmission systems where timing misalignment between the transmitter and receiver can degrade performance. The method addresses the problem of clock skew and jitter, which can cause bit errors and reduce data integrity. By dynamically modifying the phase of the reception clock, the system can better align with the incoming signal, compensating for variations in transmission timing. This phase adjustment is performed continuously or periodically, ensuring that the receiver maintains optimal synchronization with the transmitter. The method may also include generating the reception clock based on a reference clock and applying phase shifts to correct timing discrepancies. This approach enhances signal recovery, reduces errors, and improves overall system reliability in environments with fluctuating timing conditions. The technique is applicable to various communication protocols, including wired and wireless systems, where precise timing is critical for accurate data reception.

Claim 7

Original Legal Text

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising changing the phase position of the reception clock per reception clock period by shifting said phase position by a positive or negative phase increment.

Plain English Translation

Communication systems and signal reception. A problem exists in accurately synchronizing with incoming digital signals, especially in the presence of timing variations. This invention describes a method for receiving a digital signal. The method involves adjusting the timing of a reception clock. Specifically, the phase position of the reception clock is altered during each period of the reception clock. This alteration is achieved by applying a phase increment to the current phase position, where the increment can be either positive or negative. This dynamic phase adjustment allows the reception clock to more closely track and align with the incoming signal's timing.

Claim 8

Original Legal Text

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising changing a counter reading of the reception counter analogously to the phase position of the reception clock.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to signal reception systems, particularly those involving clock synchronization and phase adjustment. The problem addressed is the need to accurately track and adjust the phase position of a reception clock in a signal receiver to improve synchronization and data recovery. The method involves using a reception counter to monitor the phase position of the reception clock. The counter reading is adjusted analogously to the phase position, meaning the counter value is modified in direct proportion to the detected phase shift. This adjustment ensures that the reception clock remains aligned with the incoming signal, compensating for any phase deviations. The method may also include generating a phase error signal based on the counter reading, which can be used to further refine the clock synchronization. The overall goal is to enhance the accuracy and stability of the reception clock, improving signal integrity and data recovery in communication systems. The invention is particularly useful in high-speed data transmission applications where precise timing is critical.

Claim 9

Original Legal Text

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the subscriber reconstructs the signal clock from the signal.

Plain English Translation

This invention relates to signal processing in communication systems, specifically addressing the challenge of accurately reconstructing a signal clock from a received signal. The method involves a subscriber device that processes a received signal to extract timing information, enabling synchronization with the transmitter. The subscriber device first demodulates the signal to recover the transmitted data. Then, it analyzes the demodulated signal to identify timing markers or patterns that indicate the clock phase. These markers are used to generate a local clock signal that matches the transmitter's clock. The method may involve filtering or averaging the extracted timing information to reduce noise and improve accuracy. Additionally, the subscriber device may adjust the local clock dynamically to compensate for variations in signal propagation delays or clock drift. This ensures reliable data recovery and synchronization in communication systems where precise timing is critical, such as in wireless networks, satellite communications, or high-speed data links. The technique enhances synchronization performance without requiring additional hardware, making it suitable for cost-sensitive applications.

Claim 10

Original Legal Text

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the signal is line-coded.

Plain English Translation

A method for processing signals in communication systems addresses the challenge of efficiently transmitting data while minimizing errors and bandwidth usage. The method involves encoding a signal using line coding techniques, which convert digital data into a format suitable for transmission over a communication channel. Line coding ensures that the transmitted signal maintains specific properties, such as DC balance, limited bandwidth, and error detection capabilities, to improve reliability and performance. The encoded signal is then transmitted over a communication link, such as a wired or wireless channel, to a receiving device. The receiving device decodes the signal to retrieve the original digital data. This approach is particularly useful in high-speed data transmission systems, where maintaining signal integrity and minimizing interference are critical. The method may be applied in various communication protocols, including Ethernet, USB, and fiber-optic networks, to enhance data transmission efficiency and accuracy. By employing line coding, the method ensures that the transmitted signal adheres to the required electrical or optical characteristics, reducing the likelihood of errors and improving overall system performance.

Claim 11

Original Legal Text

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the signal is coded with the 8B10B line coding.

Plain English Translation

A method for encoding data signals in a communication system addresses the challenge of efficiently transmitting digital data while maintaining signal integrity and minimizing errors. The method involves encoding a data signal using a specific line coding technique to improve transmission reliability. The 8B10B line coding is employed, which converts 8-bit data symbols into 10-bit code groups. This encoding ensures balanced DC content, reduces long sequences of identical bits, and provides error detection capabilities. The method is particularly useful in high-speed serial data transmission systems, such as those used in networking and storage devices, where maintaining signal integrity and minimizing bit errors are critical. By using 8B10B coding, the system achieves better synchronization, reduced electromagnetic interference, and improved error detection, enhancing overall communication performance. The encoded signal is then transmitted over a communication channel, where it can be decoded by a receiver to retrieve the original data. This approach is widely adopted in technologies like Ethernet, Fibre Channel, and SATA to ensure robust and efficient data transfer.

Classification Codes (CPC)

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Patent Metadata

Filing Date

June 30, 2022

Publication Date

April 9, 2024

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